Holmes Elementary School first graders stamped their passports to fun learning destinations during a classroom unit about folktales.
First grade teachers Anna Bonderson, Becki Brown and Amy Mitchell helped students explore how different world cultures tell similar types of folktales and fairy tales. Each class listened to three versions of the classic accounts of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Thumbelina this fall. The Hedgehogs also looked at the English story of Tom Thumb, the African tale of Tselane and the Japanese legend of Issun-Boshi.
Greene said he liked listening to all of the stories. He said he learned a lot from characters like Tom Thumb and Thumbelina, who can accomplish many things despite their tiny sizes.
“I would say if you’re small, you can do a lot of differences for the world,” Greene said.
Marceline also liked the various plotlines. She said the folktales taught her why it is important to follow instructions from trusted adults.
“I think I learned that you have to listen to your mother to stay safe,” Marceline said.
The Hedgehogs made literary travels across the world as part of the Amplify CKLA Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum. The Different Lands, Similar Stories unit gave them a chance to compare how various countries and cultures approach common story themes, character types and plot structures. It also helped them improve their oral language skills and their listening and reading comprehension.
The three Holmes teachers developed a new culminating activity day for all of their classes to enjoy. They created stations that focused on Tom Thumb’s adventures in England, Issun-Boshi’s storyline from Japan, Tselane’s actions in Africa and Cinderella-themed castles in Paris.
Each Hedgehog received a personalized passport book that included their name and school photo. The other interior page included spaces for them to collect stamps from each country.
“We thought the passports would be something that would be fun and different, because there are so many countries,” Brown said. “This is just a fraction of the countries we talked about in the unit, so we thought having the passport idea would be great for the kids.”
Paris visitors smiled as they crafted their own castles at a large table. They used plastic cups, soft building blocks and small triangles, circles, squares and cylinders to make their towers. They also explained how Cinderella received her name in the fairy tale, how the prince found her glass slipper and why pumpkins cannot be turned into coaches.
Greene said it was his favorite passport activity because of his previous construction experience.
“I would say building the castle because I’m such a great builder,” Greene said. “One time I built an aircraft carrier out of Legos at my house.”
Students spent time at the African station making their own mask of a cheetah. They colored the cat’s ears, nose and spots and cut out spaces for their eyes to look through.
The mask reminded the Hedgehogs of the story of Tselane, which is a folktale from South Africa. A mother warns her daughter not to open the front door of their home for strangers, but a cheetah disguised as an old woman tricks Tselane and takes her away. Tselane is rescued and returns home safely.
Diana and Andi said they enjoyed working on their cheetah creations. They kept busy with crayons and markers before placing their masks on their faces.
“I liked coloring the cheetah mask because I really liked the story Tselane,” Diana said. “My mom grew up in Africa.”
“I liked the cheetah mask,” Andi said. “I like coloring, so I liked doing it.”
Different Lands, Similar Stories is one of 11 Amplify CKLA knowledge units that all Lincoln Public Schools first graders will complete this year. The academic materials teach children new vocabulary words and concepts about subjects such as nature, literature, history and science.
Brown said she enjoys watching the Hedgehogs improve their knowledge and vocabulary each year. They will learn about animals, famous constellations and early moments in United States history in upcoming series.
“It’s my favorite portion of CKLA to teach,” Brown said. “Our next unit is Early World Civilizations, and someone might think, ‘Oh, that’s totally above a first grader’s head,’ but they completely buy in. They love it and have a really good time learning different things.”
Brown, Bonderson and Mitchell will create special culminating day projects for each Amplify CKLA unit. They work together to develop ideas that are both educational and artistic for the Hedgehogs. The assorted curriculum topics allow them to invent a wide variety of games and activities.
Brown said it is rewarding to watch students embark on new learning expeditions in their Holmes classrooms.
“The cumulative activity days are always fun,” Brown said. “We get to use our imagination and come up with different activities for the kids to enjoy. It brings all of the learning back together in one day.”
Learn how LPS Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Department employees support student growth through series like Amplify CKLA.
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